Butyrate, oxalates, sleep and the health of the microbiome

Butyrate, oxalates and sleep are all closely tied to the health of the microbiome. Here are a few snippets from some of my favorite interviews on the Microbiome Medicine Summit 2:

Healthy Messages from Body to Brain: Dr. David Perlmutter

Butyrate is one of the 3 very important short chain fatty acids that are made in the gut: butyrate, propionate, and acetic acid are the products of the healthy bacteria.

And it turns out that butyrate has some far reaching effects in the body. It acts as a fuel for the cells that line the gut. It acts as a modulator of our gene expression, a fancy term called histone deacetylase inhibitor, but it changes the expression of our DNA.

It regulates the leakiness of the gut lining. It regulates the leakiness of the blood brain barrier, and it also simulates specific receptors on immune cells called G protein receptors that code for things like the formation of inflammatory chemicals, so it has wide-ranging effects.

We can increase our butyrate by having healthier gut bacteria. We can eat butyrate in certain foods. It comes from the word butter; butter is probably nature’s richest source of butyrate.

Special Diets & the Microbiome: Julie Matthews

What’s interesting about oxalates is they can affect and actually damage mitochondria. Mitochondria, those little powerhouses in the cell, there are millions and millions of those going on every second that supply our entire body, every cell, every organ of our body with energy at every second.

Issues with mitochondria are very common not only on autism but variety of conditions including fibromyalgia and all sorts of pain-related condition. And we often see when people have mitochondrial issues that they have issues with three or more systems. So if they’ve got issues with their gut and maybe something in their central nervous system or their immune system.

And interestingly, there is a microbiome connection with oxalates as well. And what that is, is that oxalates have to be broken down by good bacteria, particularly there is a bacteria called Oxalobacter formigenes and its job is to break down oxalates. There are other bacteria. There are Lactobacillus bacteria that can help break down oxalates, as well. Oxalobacter is particularly sensitive to antibiotics. Even a single round of antibiotics can really damage this population, sometimes not only for the short-term but sometimes for the longer term, particularly when someone has had multiple rounds.

Cleansing the Microbiome: Donna Gates

People probably don’t have this picture of the microbiome in their mind. But it’s very dynamic. It changes all the time. If you change your diet, your microbiome is going to change. If you travel, it’s going to change because you’re eating different foods and so on.

It’s also very cyclical. So, what happens at night when we go to sleep—the microbiome changes. There are certain microbes that become dormant—become quiet. And they don’t do anything much. And other ones become very active at night when we’re sleeping.

What happens if you have sleep disorders—like sleep apnea, for example, where you’re not breathing well at night—that’s going to change the diversity of the microbes in your gut. So, you want to correct sleep disorders.

You may not realize that when you don’t sleep, you’re harming the microbes in your gut. And you’re allowing the pathogenic crypts to have a heyday down in the gut. So, sleep is very important, very much connected to the microbiome.

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Just ordered your book, Trudy, i listened 2 x to Dr. Kellman interviewing you, had to pause the interview to get the notes down that pertained to me. Thank you so much.

i ordered the L Tryptophan, LIDTKE, but waiting as i’ve been weaning off SSRI for 7 months and down to 25mg. Still on anti-anxiety which do not work anymore, it’s been several decades, i’m so frustrated, i just feel again and be happy again, it’s been decades, and worse the past 3 years. i’m a senior citizen and on disability income since 2002;

Haven’t been able to focus on reading a book for 2 years, i hope to be able to read yours, one page at a time. You really seem to have traveled a journey i could identify with, tho i waited way too long.

Did all the genetic testing, wasted thousands and now, well, lets say i have 4 gigantic bins of nutrients and just trying to stay alive; i would guess you work with people, i’m in FL in USA, not sure if i can get it in my budget; but interested in what you might be able to help me with; or should i read the book first?

O, to be able to focus and be joyful again, that’s my heart’s desire..

I missed a lot of the Microbiome Summit, but I did listen to Dr. Lynch, and Dr. Marco Ruggiero , M.D. and both talks were really interesting. Dr. Ruggiero talked about the Bravo Yogurt, and restoring the microbiome using that. It was an amazing talk, but the product is very expensive. But this is a really interesting article, too!
I want to learn more about the issues with oxalates affecting the microbiome, as well as mitochondria. I have been taking some mitochondrial supplements like Pyroquinnolone, or Bio PQQ, which I do believe is helping me. I can really relate to the leaky gut and the pain issues, with having had Lyme disease. Things have improved but it is slow going. Right now, I am taking ProBiotaBatrix, as a probiotic, but have also tried the Klare Labs Galactommune supplement, which is a prebiotic and also helps the immune system. I noticed a difference in myself, once I started this. Also, recently tried a new protein powder that only has amino acids, among other things, but not casein. I had been using Whey Powder, but someone told me that the casein in it was not good for me, and could be fueling inflammation. I also have high ferritin, and am trying to work on getting that down.

What I am wondering, is if you recommend any particular supplements or probiotics, which can help with oxalates, as well as the microbiome/leaky gut issues?
I would love to know if there is a supplement that you think would work for this. The Bravo Yogurt sounds like it might be the right thing, but I don’t know what else might be available, if anything.

I had also read about L-Glutamine and the cancer link, and started to get worried about taking scoops of that everyday. There are other products which I have tried that I believe have helped my gut more, like this one from Seeking Health. This Optimal GI Powder does have L-Glutamine in it, but also has a lot of other things that are good for the gut, in a synergistic combination of herbs as well as other amino acids, as well as Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Extract. If you have not tried this one – or if someone is looking for a good gut product I think this is one of the best – also helps with inflammation:

“Optimal GI Powder by Seeking Health provides a powerful blend of pure nutrients to support digestive and gastrointestinal health. Nutrients and herbs act in synergy to support optimal gastrointestinal function, a vital part of maintaining a healthy immune system and overall wellness.*

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract requires more than a healthy probiotic population to support a balanced and effective digestive process. The intestines are a mucous-lined organ that performs two vital functions: absorbing nutrients and water and separating unneeded substances for waste elimination. Optimal GI Powder includes a targeted blend of nutrients that support healthy mucous membranes and connective tissues in the GI tract to help support healthy bowel motility, an effective gut barrier and digestive comfort. Key components include herbs known for their natural soothing and strengthening effects, specialized amino acids and compounds such as superoxide dismutase to support normal detoxification pathways.* ”

I want to learn more about Bravo yogurt as well. The type that Dr. Roggerio recommends is very expensive, but someone said there is another version that you can make yourself, which isn’t quite so expensive. They talked about using colostrum with it, or mixing colostrum with it, which is interesting. I think he is right about the microbiome affecting many things, including our brain microbiome as well, and that if you don’t have a healthy mix of Probiotics, you aren’t going to do well. On another note, people with the FUT2 gene have trouble keeping the probiotics sticking to the lining of their guts – one of my issues – so I am always feeling like I need to replenish. I find that I don’t want to overdo anything though, and I was afraid that L-Glutamine powder just by itself could be something that might not work as well for me, and if there is a link to cancer, then definitely cutting back on that and looking for other options is a good idea. You are so right about the fact we are all individuals, with different chemistry.